2023 NBBF Premier League
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2023 NBBF Premier League
| logo =
| league = Nigerian Premier League
| sport = Basketball
| prevseason_year = 2022
| duration = 22 October 2023 - 25 November 2023
| no_of_teams = 24
| season =
| playoffs_link = #Conference Eight
| playoffs = Conference Eight
| finals_link = #Final Four
| finals = Final Four
| finals_champ = Rivers Hoopers (5th title)
| finals_runner-up = Gboko City Chiefs
| finals_MVP =
| prevseason_link = 2022 NBBF Premier League
| nextseason_link = 2024 NBBF Premier League
| nextseason_year = 2024
}}The 2023 NBBF Premier League was the 22nd season of the NBBF Premier League, the top-flight basketball league in Nigeria organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). The season began on 22 October 2023 and ended on 25 November 2023 The champions qualified directly for the 2024 BAL season.{{Cite web |last=Kolawole |first=Hashim |date=2023-10-24 |title=2023 NBBF Premier Basketball League Tips Off with Host Cities Revealed {{!}} Sports247 Nigeria |url=https://www.sports247.ng/2023-nbbf-premier-basketball-league-tips-off-with-host-cities-revealed/,%20https://www.sports247.ng/2023-nbbf-premier-basketball-league-tips-off-with-host-cities-revealed/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |language=en-US}} The Final Four was staged in Port Harcourt.
The Kwara Falcons were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the conference stage. The Rivers Hoopers won their 5th national title with a undefeated 13-0 record.{{Cite web |last=Busari |first=Niyi |title=Rivers Hoopers Crowned NBBF Final 4 Champions, Pick BAL Ticket |url=https://bsnsports.com.ng/post/Rivers-Hoopers-Crowned-NBBF-Final-4-Champions--Pick-BAL-Ticket |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=BSN Sports}} The Hoopers clinched their title on 25 November, after winning the final game of the Final Four.
First phase
The first phase ran from 22 to 29 October 2023 and was held in four groups of six or seven teams, divided in two conferences. The four host cities were Abuja, Lafia, Asaba and Ibadan. The top two teams from each group advance to the Conference Eight, the remaining teams were relegated to the Division One for the 2024 season.
Initially, 31 teams were announced for the first phase.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-16 |title=Hoopers, 30 other teams to contest NBBF's 2023 Premier League |url=https://guardian.ng/sport/hoopers-30-other-teams-to-contest-nbbfs-2023-premier-league/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} After withdrawals, the league began with 24 teams.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-24 |title=26 clubs chase laurels as NBBF Men's Premier League |url=https://guardian.ng/sport/26-clubs-chase-laurels-as-nbbf-mens-premier-league-begins-in-four-cities/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
=== Savannah Conference ===
== Abuja ==
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|update=complete
|style=WL|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF ]
|team_order = NC, NU, KP, BN, NP, KS
|name_KP=Kano Pillars
|name_NC=Nigeria Customs
|name_NP=Niger Potters
|name_NU=Nile University
|name_KS=Kada Stars
|name_BN=Bauchi Nets
|win_KP=3|loss_KP=2|pf_KP=382|pa_KP=325
|win_NC=5|loss_NC=0|pf_NC=413|pa_NC=325
|win_NP=1|loss_NP=4|pf_NP=294|pa_NP=345
|win_NU=4|loss_NU=1|pf_NU=342|pa_NU=335
|win_KS=0|loss_KS=5|pf_KS=337|pa_KS=406
|win_BN=2|loss_BN=3|pf_BN=332|pa_BN=364
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=Conference Eight |result2=Conference Eight |result3=Conference Eight |result4=Conference Eight|result5=R|result6=R
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegated to NBBF National Division One
|col_Conference Eight=green1 |text_Conference Eight=Advance to Conference Eight
}}
==== Lafia ====
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|update=complete
|style=WL|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF ]
|team_order = PP, GCC, GB, CR, NSDC, BB
|name_PP=Plateau Peaks
|name_GCC=Gboko City Chiefs
|name_GB=Gombe Bulls
|name_CR=Correctional
|name_NSDC=Defenders
|name_BB=Benue Braves
|win_PP=4|loss_PP=1|pf_PP=318|pa_PP=285
|win_GCC=4|loss_GCC=1|pf_GCC=311|pa_GCC=231
|win_GB=3|loss_GB=2|pf_GB=328|pa_GB=332
|win_CR=3|loss_CR=2|pf_CR=305|pa_CR=305
|win_NSDC=1|loss_NSDC=4|pf_NSDC=298|pa_NSDC=347
|win_BB=0|loss_BB=5|pf_BB=240|pa_BB=300
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=CE |result2=CE |result3=CE|result4=CE|result5=R|result6=R
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegated to NBBF National Division One
|col_CE=green1 |text_CE=Advance to Conference Eight
}}
= Atlantic Conference =
== Asaba ==
Oriental Giants, Camac and Lagos Warriors were also announced to be in this group but did not play.
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|update=complete
|style=WL|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF ]
|team_order= RH, LL, PB, DF, LR
|name_RH=Rivers Hoopers
|name_DF=Delta Force
|name_LR=Raptors
|name_PB=Police Baton
|name_LL=Lagos Legends
|win_RH=4|loss_RH=0|pf_RH=334|pa_RH=246
|win_DF=1|loss_DF=3|pf_DF=270|pa_DF=326
|win_LR=0|loss_LR=4|pf_LR=240|pa_LR=310
|win_PB=2|loss_PB=2|pf_PB=269|pa_PB=277
|win_LL=3|loss_LL=1|pf_LL=299|pa_LL=253
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=Conference Eight |result2=Conference Eight |result3=Conference Eight | result4=Conference Eight |result5=R
|col_Conference Eight=green1 |text_Conference Eight=Advance to Conference Eight
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegated to NBBF National Division One
}}
==Ibadan ==
Lagos Islanders was also announced to be in this group, but did not play.
{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|update=complete
|style=WL|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF ]
|team_order = KF, EC, HR, OW, IMP, OR, INV
|name_KF=Kwara Falcons
|name_OW=Oluyole Warriors
|name_IMP=Impressions
|name_OR=Ondo Raiders
|name_INV=Invaders
|name_EC=Ebun Comets
|name_HR=Hoops & Read
|win_KF=5|loss_KF=1|pf_KF=423|pa_KF=392
|win_OW=4|loss_OW=2|pf_OW=366|pa_OW=327
|win_IMP=2|loss_IMP=4|pf_IMP=288|pa_IMP=355
|win_OR=1|loss_OR=5|pf_OR=316|pa_OR=379
|win_INV=0|loss_INV=6|pf_INV=309|pa_INV=435
|win_EC=5|loss_EC=1|pf_EC=371|pa_EC=279
|win_HR=4|loss_HR=2|pf_HR=434|pa_HR=353
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=Conference Eight |result2=Conference Eight |result3=Conference Eight |result4=Conference Eight|result5=R|result6=R|result7=R
|col_Conference Eight=green1 |text_Conference Eight=Advance to Conference Eight
|col_R=red1|text_R=Relegated to NBBF National Division One
}}
Conference Eight
{{Incomplete section|missing scores that were not reported by NBBF|date=December 2023}}
The Conference Eight phase was played by the eight highest placed teams from each conference. It was initially scheduled to only feature eight teams, and was to be held from 4 to 14 November 2023 in Lagos. Later, ihe NBBF announced that the Savannah Conference was hosted in Abuja, and the Atlantic Conference was hosted in Akure.
= Atlantic Conference =
Delta Force withdrew ahead of the Conference Eight.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-11-06 |title=Delta Force withdraws as NBBF Atlantic Conference's Final Eight begins |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/sport/delta-force-withdraws-as-nbbf-atlantic-conferences-final-eight-begins/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} The Rivers Hoopers won the Atlantic Conference after going undefeated in their six games; Hoops & Read finished in second place.{{#invoke:Sports results|main
|update=9 November 2023
|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF on X]
|team_order=COM, HOR, KWA, LLG, OLU, POL, RIV
|matches_style=FBR
|name_RIV=Rivers Hoopers
|name_KWA=Kwara Falcons
|name_LLG=Lagos Legends
|name_COM=Ebun Comets
|name_OLU=Oluyole Warriors
|name_POL=Police Baton
|name_HOR=Hoops & Read
|match_RIV_KWA=83-56
|match_RIV_LLG=
|match_RIV_COM=82-54
|match_RIV_OLU=
|match_RIV_POL=
|match_RIV_HOR=
|match_KWA_RIV=
|match_KWA_LLG=
|match_KWA_COM=
|match_KWA_OLU=80-44
|match_KWA_POL=
|match_KWA_HOR=
|match_LLG_RIV=
|match_LLG_KWA=
|match_LLG_COM=62-50
|match_LLG_OLU=
|match_LLG_POL=
|match_LLG_HOR=
|match_COM_RIV=
|match_COM_KWA=
|match_COM_LLG=
|match_COM_OLU=
|match_COM_POL=51-47
|match_COM_HOR=
|match_OLU_RIV=61-80
|match_OLU_KWA=
|match_OLU_LLG=
|match_OLU_COM=
|match_OLU_POL=
|match_OLU_HOR=
|match_POL_RIV=
|match_POL_KWA=
|match_POL_LLG=
|match_POL_COM=
|match_POL_OLU=63-49
|match_POL_HOR=55-78
|match_HOR_RIV=
|match_HOR_KWA=
|match_HOR_LLG=82-71
|match_HOR_COM=
|match_HOR_OLU=
|match_HOR_POL=
}}
= Savannah Conference =
Bauchi Nets withdrew ahead of the Conference Eight. Nigeria Customs emerged champions of the Savannah Conference, after winning all their six games.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-11-12 |title=NBBF Premier League: Nigeria Customs emerge Savannah Conference kings |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/642499-nbbf-premier-league-nigeria-customs-emerge-savannah-conference-kings.html |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}} The Gboko City Chiefs finished in second place.{{#invoke:Sports results|main
|update=13 November 2023
|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF on X]
|matches_style=FBR
|team_order=BAU, COR, CUS, GBO, GOM, KAN, NIL, PLA
|name_CUS=Nigeria Customs
|name_COR=Correctionals
|name_PLA=Plateau Peaks
|name_BAU=Bauchi Nets
|name_GBO=Gboko City Chiefs
|name_NIL=Nile Spartans
|name_KAN=Kano Pillars
|name_GOM=Gombe Bulls
|match_CUS_COR=91-62
|match_CUS_PLA=
|match_CUS_BAU=
|match_CUS_GBO=
|match_CUS_NIL=88-67
|match_CUS_KAN=73-64
|match_CUS_GOM=
|match_COR_CUS=
|match_COR_PLA=
|match_COR_BAU=
|match_COR_GBO=
|match_COR_NIL=
|match_COR_KAN=90-92
|match_COR_GOM=67-70
|match_PLA_CUS=56-97
|match_PLA_COR=
|match_PLA_BAU=20-0
|match_PLA_GBO=48-89
|match_PLA_NIL=50-68
|match_PLA_KAN=
|match_PLA_GOM=70-73
|match_BAU_CUS=
|match_BAU_COR=0-20
|match_BAU_PLA=
|match_BAU_GBO=
|match_BAU_NIL=
|match_BAU_KAN=
|match_BAU_GOM=
|match_GBO_CUS=75-83
|match_GBO_COR=91-78
|match_GBO_PLA=
|match_GBO_BAU=20-0
|match_GBO_NIL=76-62
|match_GBO_KAN=
|match_GBO_GOM=
|match_NIL_CUS=
|match_NIL_COR=78-79
|match_NIL_PLA=
|match_NIL_BAU=
|match_NIL_GBO=
|match_NIL_KAN=
|match_NIL_GOM=78-74
|match_KAN_CUS=
|match_KAN_COR=
|match_KAN_PLA=59-55
|match_KAN_BAU=
|match_KAN_GBO=
|match_KAN_NIL=63-65
|match_KAN_GOM=85-82
|match_GOM_CUS=
|match_GOM_COR=
|match_GOM_PLA=
|match_GOM_BAU=
|match_GOM_GBO=72-69
|match_GOM_NIL=
|match_GOM_KAN=
}}
Final Four
The Final Four will be held from 22 to 25 November. Rivers Hoopers, Hoops & Read, Nigeria Customs and Gboko City Chiefs are the four qualified teams. On 16 November, Port Harcourt was announced as the host city. The last time Port Harcourt hosted the Final Eight of the Premier League was in 2010.{{Cite web |last=Amosu |first=Adeboye |date=2023-11-16 |title=Port Harcourt To Host 2023 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final Four |url=https://www.completesports.com/port-harcourt-to-host-2023-nigeria-premier-basketball-league-final-four/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Complete Sports |language=en-us}}{{#invoke:Sports table|main
|update=complete|source=[https://mobile.twitter.com/nbbfleagues/ NBBF on X]
|style=WL
|team_order=RIV, GBC, NIG, H&R
|name_RIV=Rivers Hoopers|status_RIV=C
|name_H&R=Hoops & Read
|name_NIG=Nigeria Customs
|name_GBC=Gboko City Chiefs
|matches_style=FBR
|show_matches=yes
|win_RIV=3|loss_RIV=0|pf_RIV=218|pa_RIV=187
|win_H&R=0|loss_H&R=3|pf_H&R=195|pa_H&R=219
|win_NIG=1|loss_NIG=2|pf_NIG=188|pa_NIG=205
|win_GBC=2|loss_GBC=1|pf_GBC=213|pa_GBC=198
|match_RIV_H&R=74-68
|match_RIV_NIG=77-57
|match_RIV_GBC=null
|match_H&R_RIV=null
|match_H&R_NIG=57-65
|match_H&R_GBC=70-80
|match_NIG_RIV=null
|match_NIG_H&R=null
|match_NIG_GBC=66-71
|match_GBC_RIV=62-67
|match_GBC_H&R=null
|match_GBC_NIG=null
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F
|col_F=green1 |text_F=Qualification to the 2024 BAL season
}}